Should veterans and retirees be "Triple Dipping?"

A military pension is a reward from the people of the United States for more than 20 years of active duty service. Many of us are lucky that we came out ok and never made a VA claim, but many did not. We serve and if the system approves the extra benefits (I don’t want to use the word dipping) we are entitled, go for it, anyway to receive those benefits from the VA system have to be approved VA don’t going to give you anything free you have to proved it happened during your military service. Also many Veterans are wrong in prejudging other veterans because the benefits we are entitled and they don’t receive, no one knows what that veteran went through in his or her military service. My 20 years plus, my VA disability are my reward and entitlement, my regular social security benefits are my quotas that I pay with more than 45 years of hard work. I hate the word dipping.

How much does a senator make, and how long do they have to serve to qualify for it?

I'm a triple dipper and sometimes I feel a little guilty about it but I have to remind myself about why I'm triple dipping. I'm retired so I get compensated for years of crappy pay and conditions but, thanks to the former spouse protection act, I don't get anywhere near full retirement pay, I get VA disability benefits but not a full 100% and because I have MS, which the VA says is not service connected, I get SSDI but I am incapable of working, (anyone know an employer that will pay for 10-15 minutes of work followed by a 1-2 hour nap?) between the three I do OK but im not getting rich and I would give it all up and go back to work if I could get my health back.

My goal and dream if you will was to do at least 20 years. But after 8 years and thyroid cancer and 5 knee surgeries and blowing out my shoulders and back and multiple other health issues. I got medically retired. I had to fight for everything I got. While some talked crap behind my back and said I was faking the people who actually knew me showed support. But it really destroyed me. My whole life I dreamed of joining. and it all came to an end. I'm only glad that I was able to get what I get now. I got 30% from the army and 90% from the VA and I collect CRSC and SSD. and I thank god for it everyday because I can't function like I used too.and I had to fight for it all. They don't just hand it out. But too all the ones who cast stones I only hope you never get hurt or sick to the point where you need to utilize these services and get scrutinized by everyone you meet.

I'm not triple dipping, but I'm going to add my two cents. I was medically discharged after serving 9 years and 3 days, and have a 90% disability rating from the VA. I'm in constant pain, but still work. Sometimes I feel guilty about drawing such a high rating, when there are others out there that deserve the same, or more. But then I have days like this past Tuesday, when I got in my car after work, and it took me 5 minutes just to shut the door because I couldn't reach the handle. Then I got home and dreaded the fact that I had to go up the three steps on my front porch. My family has told me repeatedly to file for SSDI, but at 38, I just don't feel right about doing that, so I continue to work. I'm sure there's a small percentage that take advantage and scam the system, but I'm sure there's a much higher percentage of guys in my shoes, that suck it up and keep marching forward.

Yes, as a servvice member you pay for all of those disability protections and the retirement also. Additionally your pay is frozen other than COLA adjustments; no more promotions. Of course one should make more in retirment than before retirement. I know I plan to. With my civilian and guard pension, and social security, I will see an increase in myincome at retirement. However, I have worked at a suppressed wage; trusting that the government invest require amount to fund my pension.

How is meeting eligibility requirements "triple dipping"? I'm not triple dipping, just getting what's due to me. I get VA disability plus my Active Duty retirement pay as an E6; if I could get my health back to 100% instead of having a 80% disability rating due to combat and service related injuries/ailments I'd give it back in a heartbeat... but not being able to do what I love to do (back country mountain hiking) for more than a few hours due to a bad back and knees isn't worth the money.

If they qualify because of their long hours, deployments, combat, unaccompanied tours, and all the other crap. We didn't get overtime pay. We did it because it was our duty as servicemen and women. So as far as I am concerned if you qualify then you damn well deserved it. End of subject. For all others quit whining. Jerry Unger CPO USN RET.

If you have a family the size of mine . 100 percent disability is about 3200 dollars . If you receive individual unemployility and can't work ..... Exactly what are you supposed to do ? Double or triple dip or take a huge standard of living cut because you got sick, injured , or wounded while serving? Get real . If you payed into SS, your condition is real , and you served honorably then you should be taken care off . As a veteran you are exposed to stressors , toxins and hardships many civilians will never see in some veterans this brings on illness, wounds, and for those that saw combat ... Grievous wounds . If you go to war for your country you should never worry about losing your house

I believe your question is directed toward my situation. I served for 27 years both active and Reserve and was Medically Discharged Feb 22, 2002. Initially I was rated 70% by the VA. But was upgraded to 100%-Unemployable. Due to the fact that a large part of my disability was related to my service in the Nam and having survived a parachute malfunction August 1977 on a Hollywood Pay Jump which is listed as hazardous duty I also receive CRSC (Combat Related Special Compensation), which basically amounts to what I would receive from retirement. I was approved for SSI based on all of the documentation from the VA and DFAS.
Do I believe that I deserve the three EFT’s every month. Yes, spend a day in my body. I take 4 Vicodin daily plus 4 800 mg of Ibuprofen a day just to get through each day. After I recovered from the parachute malfunction I returned to jump status until 1993. If you wanted to stay on an ODA you had to be on jump status. I was the 18Z of ODA-1256 and it was the best job I ever had.
My doctor at the VA wants me to hold off any surgery on my knees, hips and shoulders for as long as possible. I’m currently 71 and hopefully I’ll be able to function without the surgery until I’m 75. My son, an Orthopedic Surgeon agrees that I should wait as long as possible because it can be a slippery slope. I’m doing my part by dropping 55 lbs and I’m currently just 10 lbs over my weight class (174) when I was on the Wrestling Team at Texas A&M. I walk as much as possible. Photo taken after vthe weight loss.